Communities across Wicklow are being invited to have their say on drafting Wicklow County Council’s first Local Authority Climate Action Plan.
The Council has launched a survey to gather insights from the public on the development of the Climate Action Plan.
The survey is available on Wicklow County Council’s online consultation hub on https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Online-Consultation-Hub/Wicklow-County-Council-Climate-Action-Plan and will be open for submissions from Tuesday 16th May until Tuesday 13th June.
Feedback from the survey will help the Council identify actions that need to be taken to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare and adapt for climate change in Wicklow in the coming years. These actions will be included in the first draft of the Wicklow Climate Action Plan published later this year when the public will again be invited to share their views.
The actions of the plan will look not only at how Wicklow County Council can transform its own operations and services but will consider what other organisations the Council can partner with and what supports it can give to local communities and individuals. A joint effort is required to reduce and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Emer O Gorman, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, said: “Wicklow County Council is committed to leading on climate action, transforming how we deliver services to ensure they are implemented with sustainability and an effort to reduce emissions as a guiding principle. We will set an example of how business can continue while achieving targets to reduce emission 51 per cent by 2030 and create a pathway towards net zero for 2050″.
To inform the development of the plan, a baseline emissions inventory has been produced that identifies the biggest sources of emissions in Wicklow which include agriculture, buildings and transport. A climate risk assessment looking at trends in weather events and sea level identifies key risks for Wicklow in the coming decades including coastal erosion, flooding, heatwaves and severe storms.
Climate Change will be the defining challenge that shapes our future. Wicklow has amazing natural resources which we can work with to build a more resilient future for ourselves and the rich biodiversity we live alongside. By collaborating with all members of our local communities and providing them with the necessary support, we can build a vibrant and sustainable future for the county.
Wicklow County Council encourages as many people as possible to contribute to this future by completing our Climate Action Plan https://www.wicklow.ie/Living/Services/Online-Consultation-Hub/Wicklow-County-Council-Climate-Action-Plan today.
